March
- Safe Haven, an animal rescue organization, visited our homeschool group and the kids loved it!
- We went to a children's program where The Story of Ferdinand was read while a violinist from the Greenville Symphony played selections from Carmen.
- Mom and Dad came down for St. Patrick's Day!
- The kids built a bridge at the STEM program.
- We took Mom, Dad, and IL friends to Issaqueena Falls and the Stumphouse Tunnel.
April
- Chris's dad enjoyed having several grandkids around for his 70th birthday.
- We visited three state parks: Caesar's Head, Sadler's Creek, and Rose Hill Plantation.
- We went to the Greenville Zoo and the Pickens Azalea Festival.
May- We visited eight state parks: Jones Gap, Hunting Island, Colonial Dorchester, Givhans Ferry, Edisto Beach, Colleton, Paris Mountain, and Calhoun Falls.
- I turned 30. :(
- The kids did several super cool field trips: Happy Cow, Mushroom Mountain, sheriff dogs at the library, and one on lifecycles in mountain streams.
- Peter started 3rd grade and Matthew started K4.
- Chris and I got to go to a very special concert by Nickel Creek!
- The kids had two fun library programs: Critter Keeper and the SC Aquarium.
- Matthew turned 4!
- Work on my in-laws' house really started taking off.
- The kids and I went up to IL for almost 4 weeks.
- Went up to MI for a day to hang out at the lake.
- Went to a parade for the 4th. I really miss doing this every year with my family!
- Peter participated in a Tiny Art display at the library.
- The kids enjoyed two library programs: Magic Story and Wildlife Geeks. I was brave and held two roaches!
- We loved exploring the Clemson Botanical Gardens.
- More library programs!
- Chris and I celebrated our 11th anniversary!
- We visited 4 more state parks: Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach, Woods Bay, and Lee. Explored the Atalaya Castle which was very unique.
- We went to Sky Top for the first time, and the boys liked picking apples.
- Chris's brother and his family visited from SD. We are close to them but don't get to see them often, so we treasured our time together.
- The boys went on an eventful camping trip. I tried not to freak out about letting Matthew go. :P
- Peter got to dissect an owl pellet during what he says was his favorite field trip ever.
- He and Matthew participated in a second Tiny Art display, this time at our local library.
- My grandma generously gifted us with a trip to the Disney Hilton Head Island resort. We had the BEST time.
- I joined a Bible study group with my sister-in-law and a friend from church.
- My mom, dad, and sister visited and we did all the things!
- Went to Table Rock State Park; and Whitewater, Bridal Veil, Dry, and Silver Run Falls in NC.
- Peter turned 9! We had to get a second birthday cake made last-minute because I dropped the first. :(
- I went to a Sarah Brightman concert, and got to watch a friend perform in A Christmas Carol.
- We loved going to Tiny Town and a live nativity to get us in the Christmas spirit. ;)
- We did our biggest cookie delivery yet - 14 people!
- We hiked at Hickory Knob State Park on Christmas Eve.
- I hiked with a friend to Hooker, Triple, and High Falls in NC.
- Chris's parents and sister moved down, and it's been absolutely wonderful getting to spend more time with them. The childcare is nice, too. ;)
- Panera Sip Club saved my life. I get my free drink every single day. lol
- I played 8 concerts, and have enjoyed getting to know my fellow orchestra members a little better.
- I feel way more established in the homeschool community here, and I'm so thankful for the group at Rock Springs Baptist Church that organizes so many awesome activities.
- I found out I have cataracts in my right eye, which helps explain why driving at night has gotten increasingly stressful.
- I read 81 books. My favorite fiction reads were The Beatryce Prophecy, Tom Lake, Go as a River, Foe, The Ferryman, Hamnet, and The Marriage Portrait. Favorite non-fiction reads were The Lives We Actually Have, Honey for a Child's Heart, Dinner in Rome, and All the Living and the Dead.
- I watched 52 movies, and my favorites that I hadn't seen before were the Oceans films, The Sixth Sense, Alien: Covenant, The Menu, D&D: Honor Among Thieves, Good Night Oppy, Happiness for Beginners, and Leave the World Behind.
My two goals for 2024 are to break my phone addiction, at least a little bit, and lose the weight that I gained back this year due to major stress. :((((( This year was so not my favorite, but whatever.
If you read all this, wow. Thanks. Happy NYE, peeps!